(We are a team of about 40 people. We have four supervisors, one of which is very nasty to us and the occasional customer who asks for escalation to managers. I have music on in my unit room. The playlist moves to the Star Wars Imperial march.)

Coworker #1: “You’re so tempting fate.”

(As if on cue, the nasty supervisor enters the room.)

Supervisor: “[Coworker #2], next time you escalate such a dumb b**** to me, I’m going to strangle you!”

(The supervisor made a pretend strangle motion and exited, oblivious to the background music. We all cracked up, and nicknamed her Darth henceforth.)

(I have been on the phone for about 45 minutes with a customer that is very upset.)

Me: “I am sorry, ma’am, that the store did not check to make sure [Product] would work in your area. I can look into it and see why not.”

Customer: “You know that it was [Store] that sold it to me. Is there any way you can contact them?

Me: “Ma’am, I can give them a call and if you wish I can call you back afterwards.”

Customer: “That would be great. Talk to you in a few minutes.” *click*

(I am about to call the other store when my coworker, who has been listening in, interjects:)

Coworker: “You’re not allowed to call the stores, you know.”

Me: “What? I have done it before.”

Coworker: “Nope, it’s not allowed.”

Me: “Well, I guess I’m in trouble then; I have done it every time a customer says something happened at a store.” *picks up phone to make call*

Coworker: “If you call I’m going to report you to the manager.”

Me: “Go for it.”

(I then call the store and inquire why they did not check to make sure the product did not work. It seems it was a trainee that had filled the order and failed to see that they needed to make sure there was even coverage before completing the order. I hang up just as my coworker and manager come over.)

Coworker: “Go ahead and tell [Manager] what you told the customer.”

Me: “That I would be giving her a call back after I called the store to find out why they sold her a product without checking the coverage.”

Manager: “Have you called the store?”

Me: “Yes, ma’am.”

Manager: “Good. After you call the customer back take an extra 15-minute break.”

(She then walked back to her desk. After work she said I was one of the most dedicated employees she had. Made my day.)

Scammer: “Hello Ma’am. This is Microsoft Tech Support. We have a report from your internet service provider that your computer has been hacked and is sending out viruses.”

Me: “Oh really?”

Scammer: “Yes, Ma’am. Your ISP is giving this tech support assistance absolutely free to all their customers. I just need you to sit down at your computer and I’ll give you directions so on how to fix the problem.”

Me: “And who did you say is calling?”

Scammer: “This is Microsoft Tech Support. And the call is absolutely free. If you will just turn on your computer, I’ll walk you through fixing the problem so that we can stop the hackers from using your machine.”

Me: “No, you’re not.”

Scammer: “Excuse me?”

Me: “You aren’t Microsoft Tech Support. This is a scam.”

Scammer: “No, Ma’am. Windows is from Microsoft, and I’m calling because your Internet Service Provider contacted Microsoft about your computer being hacked. Your ISP is paying for this call; therefore, we here at Microsoft can help you fix your computer free of charge.”

Me: “I don’t think so. You’re hacker and you’re trying to get access to my computer. And it won’t work because I already know it’s a scam. I use Linux.”